Muldays Mondays: G.W.A.S.H, POOP & ENERGY

“G.W.A.S.H.-Global Water Sanitation and Hygiene”

— Water & Cassava

In September we touched on W.A.S.H and the Finances behind W.A.S.H are a bit complicated

G.W.A.S.H.- ASIA IN NUMBERS

BRIEF TOILET PAPER HISTORY

“The Chinese were using toilet paper as early as the 6th Century?”

— Water & Cassava tries to avoid HI-STORY and Eurocentricity

HERE ARE THE MANY WAYS SOME WIPED THEIR ARSES?
 

“Wealthy Romans -Wool, Rosewater

Public Restrooms in Ancient Rome- A sponge soaked in salt water, on the end of a stick

Middle Ages – Hayballs

Viking Age/England- Discarded sheep and lambs wool

Hawaiians – Coconut Shells

Eskimos – Snow and Tundra moss

India – Left hand and Water

Sailors from Spain/Portugal – Frayed end of an old anchor line

Medieval Europe- Straw, Hay, Grass

United States – Corn Cobs, Mussel Shell, Leaves”

— Toilet Paper World

This picture depicts LUXURY. I am not speaking of the décor and lightening. The luxury is the access to a flushing toilet. They can walk in this space with socks, house slippers or bare feet and they are still going to comfortably take a nice poop. The person that walks into this bathroom will not work on their toes, trying not to touch anything or not do the #1, #2 and #3 at the same time because of the odor. This is also the last part of this blog that might not make you want to puke, so I hope you are not eating?

“In Lao PDR, the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach, combined with sanitation marketing tools, led to a 32% increase in sanitation access in 266 villages, eight times faster than the national rural average of 2.6% per year from 2014 to 2016. Through this support, 113 villages were declared open defecation free and almost 40,000 people gained access.”

— The World Bank

“In Ghana, to tackle the challenges of sanitation in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), the World Bank is supporting a multifaceted sanitation intervention. The project includes: subsidies for poor households to buy toilet facilities, construction of a new fecal sludge treatment plant, engagement with private sector financial institutions to encourage creation of loan products for household sanitation, sanitation marketing, mobile money platforms for households to save towards the cost of a toilet, support to local private contractors to build their capacity to deliver toilets at larger scales, and other related initiatives.”

— The World Bank

Ancient Rome Toilets. 

“In India, a US$1.5 billion World Bank loan is supporting the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission in its efforts to ensure that all citizens in rural areas have access to improved sanitation with the goal of ending the practice of open defecation in the country by 2019. The program incentivizes latrine and toilet construction through a focus on changing behaviors and stimulating deman”

— The World Bank

Human Feces for fertilizer, i kind of feel like my life is right here!

I imagine at this point you want to know just how it would work.......

Outhouse, I had to use this in Primary School. #thirdworldstruggles

THE HISTORY OF TOILET & POOPING

“This was brought to you by PBS. You must know, PBS is made possible for viewers like you....”

— Raised on PBS, BBC and SCI-FI

SANITATION

Adequate proper sanitation facilities and the ability to dispose waste appropriately is necessary for overall public health. The results of not having access to suitable sanitation facilities contribute to contaminated water and land that increase risks of various infections and diseases to people living in a community. The inadequate disposal of waste for a community means contaminated food, water to drink and wash.  

Access to proper sanitation improves health, socio-economic development and reduces life-threating WASH related diseases such as cholera, hepatitis and typhoid.
 

“I have had the unique pleasure of contracting cholera, typhoid at the same time. I did the 1-2-3 at the same time and looked like death. ”

— #Thirdworldstruggles

KENYA -FLYING TOILETS AND ECO-SOLUTIONS

Kibera, Kibera, Kibera. Watch this video on W.A.S.H and Pooping

Dealing with Kibera's flying toilets Al Jazeera's Hassan Ghani spends time with several of Kibera's residents examining the impact of the slum's waste crisis and explores the innovative solutions some locals have come up with to tackle the problem.

WHAT IS AN IKOTOILET? SOLUTIONS FROM KENYA

In Africa, 300 million people lack adequate sanitation, causing some of the biggest environmental and health problems facing people living in poor communities. In Kenya, DW eco-ambassador David Kuria's 'Ikotoilet' is helping change that. More eco@africa reports: http://www.dw.com/en/tv/eco-at-africa/s-32686

“In Egypt, the US$550 million Sustainable Rural Sanitation Services Program for Results is enhancing access to sanitation services for poor people in small towns while addressing the pollution of the Nile from untreated sewage. The Program aims at empowering local service delivery and connecting the rural and small town poor to working sanitation systems in the Delta governorates of Daqahliya, Sharqiya, and Beheira in Lower Egypt.”

— The World Bank

GHANA IS STRUGGLING

Unfortunately, there is problem with open defecation and it is costing the Ghanaian government $79 million annually.  This is also costing the country tourism dollars and will be extremely damaging to a Ghana working on Country Branding and Soft Power. This article goes in depth about the issue. 

“In Mozambique, at the request of the Maputo Municipal Council, inclusive sanitation options have been identified for households not connected to the limited sewerage system. This pilot has led to a request for World Bank financing for urban sanitation projects which will promote sustainable solutions to on-site sanitation. Projects which similarly address the challenges of on-site sanitation at scale are either under implementation or preparation in Ghana, Bangladesh, Benin, Tanzania, Indonesia and Ethiopia, among other countries.”

— The World Bank

TOILET BUSINESS IS BOOMING...

The Toilet Board Coalition brings together experts from business, investment, and the global sanitation community through our platform to cross-fertilise experiences, innovate at all levels, and catalyse the growth of profitable sanitation businesses that deliver sanitation to all. The Toilet Accelerator is a corporate accelerator program to facilitate private sector engagement and mentorship to sanitation businesses and entrepreneurs serving low-income markets.

The need of proper sanitation and hygiene has always been a major concern across the globe, especially in developing countries like India. Even today, 25% of the population in India still defecate in the open. With steady urbanization, heavily populated cities like Mumbai, face serious health menace due to lack of proper sanitation.

WHAT IS GREEN ABOUT POOPING?

“One man’s $%^& is another man’s water supply, fertilizer and energy source”

— Water & Cassava

CLEAN WATER & ELECTRICITY FROM POOP-BILL GATES

Bill Gates recently got to check out the Omniprocessor, an ingenious machine designed and built by Janicki Bioenergy, which turns human waste into water and electricity. In places without good waste treatment plants, it could be a real game-changer. Learn more at http://www.gatesnotes.com

NAKARU, KENYA-POOP AS CHARCOAL
 

A company is manufacturing charcoal from human poo and sawdust collected around Nakuru, Kenya. Locals have embraced its use and are using the briquettes for cooking and other purposes. The project aims to help protect the environment and improve sanitation especially in poor parts of the town.

SANIVATION -KENYA

Sanivation provides affordable sanitation services, collecting waste from their toilets an transforming it into a clean burning alternative to charcoal

SIDEBAR: PORTA POTTY

This contraption from America hell is called a Porta Potty. This hell is very popular during summer time in any major U.S city. Ahhh, yes nothing says, let us be in a festival mood as this evil box. Festival Newbies drink and eat all they see because “OMG, this is so good, you have to try it!”.  Then it is time to use the bathroom, I start reminding this individual just how delicious the food was, and I drink my water slowly. I also start to laugh, I mean the laughter that is loaded with “You are so screwed, and I tried to tell you but no, you wanted to eat and drink with your eyes”.  Oh, if you ever visit NYC in the summertime, DO NOT USE! Hold it and walk to the closest place of business because …. Well, I warned you, Cheers!

Until next Mulday!

Friday Ramblings: The One About "Gratefulness, Unexpected and Failure"

Rambling is defined by Webster as:

·      passing from one topic to another

·      using or containing more words than necessary to express an idea

Reality is defined by Webster as:

·      the quality or state of being real

·      a real event, entity, or state of affairs

·      totality of real things and events

·      something that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily

-Isms are just my own colloquialisms .

“I am on a rollercoaster just going up, down, sideways and upsidedown. I am going to puke quite soon ”

— Who the hell asked you to come to the theme park though?

I cannot stress just how crazy this week was, but I can tell you the order was: Late Nights, WTF Facebook Follows, Unexpected, Gratefulness and Failure. It was not in that order but shit it might as well be…

#Fuckyducky

The Failure Part

I am not sure how to say this, but I do feel like a failure. I also found myself slipping into self-destructive mood. 

“You know, I do not drink or smoke. But shit when I hit that “SELF-DESTRUCTIVE BUTTON” … You would ask, WTF are you drinking, taking, or smoking???”

— All me and All truth

“Sober as a Judge but never Drunk as a Lord...”

— Grew up in a former British Space, I really speak like this in real life

I am not able to raise the money needed to get my business visa to set up the business. I tried so hard, but just not fast or hard enough. I should be doing better than this, I am not moving fast enough. I am a tortoise on a path with cheetahs passing me by.

(Lane Posters)

The Gratefulness Part 

Getting someone to recommend me to do a PSA that got me some dead presidents in my wallet? Our interaction was just once at mixer for people with no capital trying to do business in Korea. Well it is true, first impressions matter.

I am beyond grateful
 

My local barrister celebrated his birthday, but saved a cake for me. I was surprised and touched, I mean it is his birthday not “our birthday”.  Despite not speaking English and my no existent Korean, he is always kind to me. I have never walked into this café without them beating me to say 안녕하세요! (Hello, Annyong). I always make sure to say (Goodnight Guys, Thanks for Everything).

I am grateful for consideration from new friends and warm smiles.

Remember last Friday, I was not sure about rent. I was able to secure funds for rent.
I am beyond grateful

I ate fresh food for two days….
MY SOUL MADE OF FRUITS, VEGGIES AND APPLECIDER VINEGAR IS GRATEFUL.

Getting my portraits emailed to me by a gentleman that has photographed four Korean Presidents. I was so beyond humbled and grateful. Tiny me compared to giants.

Grateful Tortoise among Cheetahs
 

Beyond Grateful

My childhood mate donating to my gofundme page. She stays in Los Angeles, I am grateful for 2 cents. That place is so expensive, I think it is because they just want people to run into traffic. Anytime we are asked, how long have you known each other? We just start laughing uncontrollably. We always tell people, we have kicked it from the womb… you cannot go back than that!

I AM GRATEFUL

The Unexpected Part

Did I mention my childhood friend from L.A donating?

“ L.A ain’t cheap bruh….”

— Said Everyone in Los Angeles

I was told something unexpected, I was told that as a child “You were so bubbly and happy”. It was unexpected because to be honest this person meant well. I know their heart meant well. I was few seconds from breaking down. It means that I have practiced the art of pretending the pain from a very seriously fucked up first 10 years of life to an art. In my darkest moments, I receive the most compliments. I often think everyone must see I am cracking but Nah… “Fatimaah you are amazing, how did you……”

I am grateful because it means that even as a kid, I was just fighting you know??

 

Uncle Bob once said …. (You may not mention Mr. Dylan)

The Jollof Empire

My Jellof Rice friend that seems to insist that I am going to be fine because shit, his Wolof and he said so!!!   I love Wolof people you hear me? I mean my love is outside of the Jellof rice. I swear it is, they come close to my Zulu people that I love today, tomorrow, yesterday, and forever..

Greatful to Jollof Rice and Origins

Speaking of a Jamaican

I am sure my soul and uncle Bob’s people are forever intertwined. I do not know how this works in my life, however I know this to be true as love.

I have never had a difficult chapter in life without Jamaicans and neighboring islands as my safety net. I really believe that the struggles of blackness in America was not so hard on me because Uncle Bob and Family have always been there for me. I saw that African-Americans from the States would get punches, but those guys just came in no matter the space (North America, Europe, or Asia), like

““You are okay, eye ear you”.”

— Rasta Man

They took some of those hits of leftover colonialism for me and so my tears became laughs that made my belly hurt. The Jamaican brother, I met that schooled me on other options with this business.

Uncle Bob did tell me to be a Buffalo Soldier

Stream/Download Legends (Deluxe edition) here: https://BobMarley.lnk.to/LegendDEID Music video by Bob Marley & The Wailers performing Buffalo Soldier. (C) 2003 Universal-Island Records Ltd.

Grateful for Uncle Bob, his children and neighbors. 

THE WTF FACEBOOK FOLLOWER

I was told time was a great healer this week after I expressed my shock state of seeing this name on my laptop screen.

Time might be a great healer for you! The other person might still see you and think, BULLSHIT!
Nothing Personal….
 

I was in a state of shock because our last interaction was just BAD. I mean all versions of terrible.

This was a “friend” to my maternal family, and her interactions with everyone has always followed with the words “crazy, madness and my personal best I just don’t understand” ….

The younger me would have sent a message like:

““I see you are following me, please don’t and Oh if I forgot to mention... You are a very horrible person and should %^&K off. Have a great day”.”

— This was before I met Black Jesus, Buddah, Mohammed and Krishna, What is tuly up my hommies?

I think people  can be so rude you know? You must always tell others to have a great day.

“. Manners, Where are your manners??”

I did not send such a message. I imagined just how strange/brave/everything that says this shit is not comfortable it must have been for her to click that button. I wish her well, peace and great moments of joy in life.

…..STILL WTF FACEBOOK FOLLOWER, I  AM GRATEFUL  

   ... I AM THE FOLLOWING LIFE BELOW       

I am/must be graceful as the giraffe 

Diplomatic as the Elephant

Deadly as the Blue Octopus, I learned and still am learning this stage of me. 

This is my shadow, you must know of my heritage to understand the connection of the Elephant & Mermaid. 

Sometimes or maybe all the time

This is because of the box below

So because of this, I often wonder......

But that is beauty in not having all YOUR SHIT TOGETHER...

Amazing requires Courage....

LATE NIGHTS & COFFEE
 

Until next Friday Ramblings, Cheers to the bloody weekend!

Cassava Tuesdays- Out the Office 11/28-11/30

See you next Cassava Tuesday, feel free to check out our earlier posts. So far, we have touched on
Africa Gastrodiplomacy
South Africa
Morocco
Ghana
Kenya
Mauritius
Botswana
Libya

Muldays Mondays The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam II: Qatar,Saudi,Egypt...Who gives a dam?

An homage of colors for all the countries involved

Do you see Qatar? 

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NILE BASIN COUNTRIES AND (OTHER FRIENDS)?

Our countries above are: Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda, Egypt, Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, China, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

the nile basin initiative 

An Update from the Nile Basin Initiative on the Great Dam:

“......“I urge member states to take advantage of the solution pathways that have emerged from this forum and build on the networks established. We all have a role to play in ensuring a water secure future in the Nile Basin region and making it a better place for all living beings,”

— The Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat Executive Director, Eng. Innocent Ntabana, October 2017

To learn more about, The Nile Basin Initiative and their role in Water Security and Scarcity 

Well that escalated quickly. It appears tensions have escalated quite a bit between Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Qatar. Yup, Qatar the country that seems to ooze the kind of wealth, we mere mortals could not even imagine because we are poor and useless.

“Yo! Keep your shit far away from us, because we have our own problems

”

— Qatar to all Nile States

Before we go any further, did you read the first part? Catch up 

So, Ethiopia is still not giving any $%&*@, they are going through with their Grand Renaissance Dam. This is the Ethiopia that is admired, take no bull approach to fighting for their narratives and spaces. I should also point out here that Ethiopia is doing exactly what China does to feed all those billions of folks at home. To understand some of the woes, read below on China re-creating dams and redirecting Water and the impact of this to India.

The difference between Ethiopia and China would be the openness to discuss all issues related to the dam

IS THE DAM REALLY THAT BAD OF AN IDEA?

There were initially concerns from Egypt and Sudan that the creation of the Dam will take away from sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, but Sudan is now on “Team Great Dam” as you read from our last post.

Sudan has played the role of mediator between Egypt and Ethiopia. I should point out Sudan has signed quite a few deals  with Ethiopia and stands to benefit from tremendous hydroelectric power. 

“We do not want your dam, it poses Water Security issues ”

— Egypt Tears and Feelings that are filling the Nile

From the Genesis of the Dam to current day, Egypt has made it clear, it does not want the creation of this dam. It does not want to halt building the damn, it simply wants to scrap it away. Egypt has gone as far, has threating to start a war with Ethiopia over the dam.  

The talks between Egypt and Ethiopia is just.....

“99 Problems but a Dam ain’t one”

— Mr. Sean Carter, but you may refer to him as Jigga

THERE IS JUST TO MUCH GOING ON......

Sudan and Egypt have trust issues that are all centered on the ongoing South Sudan War. President Omar al-Bashir has the belief that Egypt gives weapons to South Sudan tthat keeps the war going. 
 

COLONIAL COMPLICATIONS & FALSE LABELS

Egypt and Sudan have issues at home and in West Asia or the "Middle East". 

“I have a dream one day, continents will be judged for their continent status and not political relationships. West Asia not Middle East
”

— Water & Cassava

So you recall that Saudi Arabia and Friends cut diplomatic ties with Qatar because of their support for terrorism. All soughts of irony and it would be funny if the B.S was not getting people killed.
 

Do you know this ABBA SONG...... 

SAUDI ARABIA & SUDAN

BUT IN 2014....

SUDAN & QATAR

Qatar clearly wants to know Sudan more with that $70 million "investment" to Sudan.  

 Hala'ib Triangle 

This is another big issue between Egypt and Sudan that has lasted from 1899-Current Day

“OH GOD, WHY IS IT THIS MESSY???”

— Water & Cassava

Just watch

BACK TO SUDAN AND SAUDI

It is fair to conclude that it very awkward between Saudi and Qatar with repect to Sudan and Egypt.

Sudan is playing or trying to play mediator between Saudi Arabia and Qatar… 

“Oh SHIT this is to funny, I am in tears. You see the problems with labels and how they confuse folk?”

— Water & Cassava

But

“One of my parents once told me not to ever confuse tolerance with acceptance.
Sudan that comment was for you…
Bashir you don’t have the Madiba Effect or Diplomacy, so sit DOWN….Wait are you not suppose to be in the international court???….

You are not a Arab Brother because of a language and a religion is....YOU ARE AFRICAN , AFRICAN BEFORE ANYTHING”

— Water & Cassava

SUDAN AND EYGPT (PETTINEESS)
Sudan has banned all agriculture and animal imports to Egypt
 

Egypt has banned sudan journalist and Sudan has place travel restrictions.

THE SECOND POINT OF THE DAM MADNESS: CHINA

It seems like the norm to any development in Africa must include China. China spotted $1.2 billion to Ethiopia but still the country seems to be pulling off the unimaginable. The Dam still has a way to go, it takes 5-10 years for a full dam to operate. 
 

SO WHY WOULD EGYPT THINK ETHIOPIA GOT FUNDING FROM QATAR?

.......Ethiopia denies receiving funding from Qatar to build The Renaissance Dam

EGYPT AND THREATS

“Egypt president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi issued a stern warning to Ethiopia over the mega dam  saying “water is a matter of life or death.” and that “No one can touch Egypt’s share of water.””

— All Bark and no Bite

Until next Mulday or if the Dam is destroyed

Friday Ramblings: The One About the Lost, Found and Cared for………

Rambling is defined by Webster as:

·      passing from one topic to another

·      using or containing more words than necessary to express an idea

Reality is defined by Webster as:

·      the quality or state of being real

·      a real event, entity, or state of affairs

·      totality of real things and events

·      something that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily

-Isms are just my own colloquialisms .

This is me fellow Jupiterian from cell to this form. I am aware that there is no life in Jupiter for those that do not see. However this is not my problem. 

Lost

I lost my debit card, oh that sucked so bad.  I was lucky enough that it was mailed to me from the states. My very good mate sent me some cash to eat something because I had no cash. Arrrrrgggggh... I  had maybe $2 in cash so yeah It was just honestly depressing. 

I thought, I was lost finding on an out, but I might have a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong shot in getting something towards the right direction.  

So fingers crossed.....

....BUT WHAT IF I FAIL, I DON'T KNOW HOW I MADE IT THIS FAR...

SUGAR HONEY ICE TEA.....

“Rent Money - Nope
Research Money for Bugs- Nope
Food Money- I mean like Bread and Coffee.... SHIT I AM HUNGRY FOR MY COMPANY”

— Water & Cassava

“...SHIT....No Rent Money, No Food but company recognition.... Sure, I got this...

I CANNOT BE HOMELESS IN KOREA.... Are there any social programs for Americans that are two seconds from having their asses dished out to them!! #KimchiDiplomacy
”

— Water & Cassava

Found

So funny enough this week, I got lots of positive messages from so many different outlets on the importance of staying and moving forward. My article on Libya was popular on Linkedin. I wish you could find fear and toss it to an ocean, in my case...The Pacific Ocean.

My old classmate told me of some funding from Queen Mary,  I will try my luck

“For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge from me to you:
I have sarcrificed so much..
I don’t have a place to go back to
I don’t have anything to fall back on...
..... I am honestly every version of that acronym(NO THAT’S NOT WHAT THE WORD MEANS... BUT JUST LET ME BE GREAT)”

— Water & Cassava

Cared for……

KIMCHI 아줌마 (AJUMMA)

So, there are three ladies at the grocery store across from me. We speak kimchi, no English or Korean here. I am grateful for just how they make sure I get my Kimchi and encourage me to try different Kimchi. They always smile and look forward to interacting with me. I am grateful because I worked retail and after the sale, no one needs to be that kind.

THE BOYS, PASTA & KORCAINE

“Respect Word Play....”

These young guys cook real Italian. They enjoy traveling and use to stay in Australia. They are always so warm and kind to me. They always give extra something or a deep discount.  I am grateful that they always make sure to interact and laugh with me.

“Man may survive on Coffee alone”

— Every Coffee Lover

The Coffee Market

 I will take another picture later, it is pouring....

The Coffee Market is a café by my area that I use as my office. The staff always greets me as soon as I walk in. I am grateful because now I can order coffee and drinks in Korean.

Arthritis

I was diagnosed at 16 with juvenile arthritis. So far, I would like to say ... I am kicking that ass. However, during colder days or when I am very stressed... I am in pain… that shit hurts. 

Some mornings depending on my stress levels or the weather, I must stay in the shower just a bit longer with hot water on my poor hip bone and short leg. 

“.......A SHORT LEG?? LIKE YOUR LEGS ARE ......”

— Yes one leg is longer than the other

So those that know me well, will tell you one leg is longer than the other leg. The shorter leg and that hip bone can be so painful (Water Therapy one day!!). 

My father and my pediatrician told me that everyone has one extremity longer than the other. I think they were trying to make me feel better.

…..Eeeeemmmm,  I mean one leg is shorter than the other. You can not spin that mennnnn.
My pediatrician was really unique in her own way, I mean she just really had this way of making me understand my body was mine and I needed to take good care of it. She would ask about my grades, school and everything. I will speak of her more often on Public Health Wednesdays. 

“Do you know my siblings and my dad made fun of my short leg?
I mean it was not funny.... Actually it was funny…. I always start laughing when it comes up... ”

— You gotta laugh it away

My way of dealing with this from teen to now:

Fresh Foods (I DO NOT EAT JUNK or MAMMALS)

No smoking or drinking.

In the states, my routiine included:

Gym

Weights

Sauna  

Steam room

Whole Foods and The Farmer's Market 

Here in Seoul, I walk at minimum 5 miles a week to 15 miles a week. I drink at least 1.5 liters of water everyday or every other. 

I hate the words, I suffer from (disease/illness). It is such a terrible thing to say to someone. We LIVE with....   

“I also worked in Public Health for close to a decade, I am very particular on ILLNESS. WELLNESS is all that matters.... I in llness means I... but WE in llness MEANS we are in this together. ”

— I bring that BBC, PBS, MTV to Public Health Engagement

So

I live with Arthritis, and I sleep on the floor because it is heated. I am grateful for heated floors

I hope so....See you next Friday Ramblings